Driving box for locomotives



Dec. 14 1926.

J. T. CUNNINGHAM Filed Nov. 28, 1923 DRIVING BOX FOR LOCOMOTIVES 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 r YIE. i

INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

ilbli i h.

stares mam rarer cries.

JOHN T. CUNNINGHAM, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINGIS, ASSIGNOR OF, FIFTY-ONE QNE HUNDREDTHS TU JACGB RAMSEB AND BENJAMIN J. SUMMERSON, BOTH OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

DRIVING BOX FOB LOCGMOTIVES.

Application filed November 28, 1923. Serial No. 677,388.

My invention has reference to driving boxes for locomotives, and aims to overcome some of the objectionable features to be found in such devices which are now in use. Ithas been usual to provide such boxes with a bearing, interposed between the axle journal and upper part of the box, and projecting downwardly at the sides thereof, in a modified crescent form. The space between the ends of the hearing was necessarily as great as the diameter of the journal, so that there was no engagement of the bearing and journal below the central horizontal line of the journal. These bearings wear out in a comparatively short time, resulting in a looseness and pounding of the parts. Unless given prompt attention these defects will be followed by injury to the piston rods, frame, and other parts of the locomotive, often causing serious breakages and accidents. The

weight of the locomotive is distributed proportionately on these bearings, or brasses, and is considerable in a heavy engine, but the impact of the successive piston thrusts on opposite sides of the bearing is much greater, being two or three times that of the dead weight resting on such bearing from above.

As a result the wear is greatest at the sides of the journal, and frequently the brass will be quite badly worn at its ends when the top or crown of the brass will show hardly any wear. When the sides of the bearing beconre worn there is a tendency of the hearing to rise off of the journal, the dead weight on the bearing not being suilicient to withstand the blow of the piston thrust.

When a hearing becomes worn and defectire, it becomes necessary to. replace the same, and this has been accomplished either by dropping the wheels and axles into a pit or other space beneath the engine, or lifting the body of the locomotive from the wheels. Either operation calls for the expenditure of a considerable amount of time and energy.

The brasses are usually forced into the box under considerable pressure, so that even after the wheels are separated from the body of the engine it is a diiiicult matter to remove the brasses. As a general thing when the ends of the bearing become badly worn the entire bearing is discarded, and a new one substituted therefor, whether the crown of such bearing is worn to any noticeable extent or not.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a crown brass extending over the top of the journal, and independent side brasses, covering a space on each side of the journal above and below the center thereof, and having a working contact with such journal at those points where the piston thrust is the greatest. This is on a horizontal line through the center of the journal and a little above and below such line on each side of the journal.

Another purpose of the invention is to support said side brasses in place in such a manner that they can be quickly removed and replaced, without separating the wheels from the locomotive. The crown brass can also be removed and replaced, when necessary, by relieving the box to a slight extent from the weight of the engine.

Another purpose of the invention consists in the provision of means for holding the crown and side brasses rigidly together in assembled position, such effect being assisted lit) by coacting formations of the brasses then selves, whereby such brasses are bound firmly together, comprising practically a single bearing.

Another object thereof is to have the parts of the hearing held in placeso that they can be readily slipped from position, when it is desired to remove the same.

Another purpose of the invention consists in the incorporation of a means for resisting any tendency of the sides of the box to close upon the hearing, so as to cause the same to pinch the journal, and causeundue friction between such journal and the hearing.

Another purpose thereof consists in the provision of a storage space for lubricating material at a point just below the journal, and means associated therewith for the distribution of such material to the wearing parts of the box. In devices of the class described, the lubricating material usually con sists of grease in a semi-solid condition.

The above named, and other features and advantages of the invention will more fully the side-pieces 1,

appear from the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a driving box equipped with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section medially thereof. V I

3 shows a modified form of the invention, in front elevation.

F 1 is an end view of the cellar 16,

Fig. 5 is a bottom view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the driving box, with the associated parts removed.

Fig. 7 is an, inner perspective view of the crown brass and one of the side brasses in position therewith.

The reference number 1 indicates the driving box, formed of side pieces united at their upper ends by a cross-piece 2, the side pieces being channeled; in their outer faces for vertical play in the jaws of theengine frame in the usual manner. At the lower ends of said side-pieces are inwardly projected. sills 8, extending transversely of the box, for supporting, purposes hereinafter set forth.

4 indicates the journal of a locomotive axle, between which and the crossbar interposed a crown brass 5, having an upwardprojection 6 at its central part, fitting into, a, similar opening 7 in. the lower part of the cross-bar. Said brass is also provided with a boss 8, fitting into a recess 8 in the chess-bar 2, and holding the part 5 from lateral movement. The outer edges of the brass 5 are formed with inclined faces 9, from which end portions 10 project outwardly, such ends having a limited vertical movement in channels 11 in the inner faces of This movement is sufiicicnt, to; release the boss 8, and permit the brass .3 to be slipped from one side of the box. At each side of the journal 4 is an auxiliarybrass 12, which auxiliary or side brasses are centrally recessed to accommodate keys 13 projected inwardly from the side pieces of the box. (Fig. 6.) At the sides of said recesses said brasscs are projected upwardly into lugs 151, the inner faces of which are inclined to conform to the faces 9 of the brass 5,. The outer portions of said lugs are cut away, and provided with curved faces concentric with the outer circle of the journal, and permitting the brasses 12 to be moved: downwardly without the upper ends, thereof being jammed against the inner faces of the sidepieces of the box. This would naturally result on account of the innerfaces of the brasses having to follow the circle of the journal, in. moving downwardly, throwing; the upper ends of such brasses gradually outwardly. permits of the return of said. brasses to their worlzingpositions, while the journal is in its position in the driving box. The inner This formation also.

faces of the keys 13 are inclined gradually inwardly and upwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, and the inner faces of the brasses 12 are formed to correspond therewith, whereby the inner faces of the lugs 14 are brought into clcse contact with the end of the brass 5, with the upper ends of the brasses 12 also in close engagement with the lower face of the brass The brasses 5 and 12 thus form a practically continuous bearing for the journal 4-, with an opening of suitable size for the satisfactory operation of the journal therein.

The brasses 12 are held in position by means of a, boxing l6, commonly called a cellar in railroad vernacular, and sup.- ported on the sills 3, by neans of shoulders 1. on said boxing, between which and the upperfces of the sills are interposed wedges 18. The faces of said shoulders are inclined. to conform to the shape. of the wedges, (see Fig. 1) and the lcwer faces of the wedges are parallel with the. lower edge of V the boxing, so that they will contact properly with the sills 3. The. smallerends of said wedges, which are toward the front of the driving box, are provided. with threaded pins 19, fitted with. nuts. 20 and washers 21. ,he boxing 16 is slipped in from the side, nd he wedges 18 driven in from the rear. until the parts of the bearing are tightly locked together. then phced in position, the washers projecting over the edges of'the boxing. and sup porting parts therefor, and. holding said boxing from lateral displacement outwardly. The wedges hold the same from inward movement.

Just below the shoulders 17 the boxing 16 is provided with inclined enlargements 22 for engagement by inclined faces of the wedges 18 at rightangles to the first-namedv wedge faces. As said wedges are driven into place this serves to impart an outward pressure against the side pieces 1, and. prevent said side-pieces from clamping against said boxing or the brasses 12, so as to cause a too close engagement thereof with the our nal 1-. henthe engineis in operation the v parts of the box are liable to a limited amount of expansion, induced by the heating of the parts, and upon cooling, a similar amount of contraction is liable.tofiakeplace. Thiscontraction is liable to cause a crowd; ing of the side-pieces against theparts ofv the bearing, but is prevented by the wedgefpw mation just above mentioned.

The contacting faces of the boxing 16 and side brasses 12 are preferably inclined, as shown, tending to crowd said brasses out.- wardly at their lower ends, and inwardly at their upper ends. The hrasses 12 are formed so that their bearing faces will extend up: wardly to the highest point to receive the piston-thrust, and downwardly a little below The washers and nuts arev the lowest point to receive wear from such thrust. As such brasses become worn, the upper ends thereof and the faces 9 can be cut back a little, permitting a raising of'the brasses, and presenting a little additional surface at the lower ends of the brasses, for wear.

l/Vhen it is desired to replace the brasses 12, the boxing 16 is'lirst removed, permitting said brasses to be slipped downwardly until released from engagement with the keys 13, whereupon they can also be withdrawn from the side of the driving-box, and new ones substituted therefor. It will be evident that this can be done without disturbing the relations of the driving-box and journal l. In'

case the brass is also sufficiently worn to require renewal, this can be accomplished by taking the weight of the engine off of the journal so as to permit enough of a separation of the journal and box to enable the brass 5 to be moved downwardly until the boss 8 is disengaged from the cross-bar 2, whereupon said brass can be slipped from the side of the box, and another one substituted therefor.

There is no working contact between the boxing 16 and journal 4, but said boxing is designed to contain a quantity of lubricating grease, as is customary, such grease being gradually worked in between the ournal and parts of the bearing. To further facilitate the movement of such grease, the upper walls of the boxing are provided with inner perforations and outer perforations 2 1, the first-named perforations communicating with channels in the brasses 12, connecting at their outer ends with openings 26 extending through the keys 13 and sidepieces of the driving-box, assisting in overcoming the friction between said side pieces and the frame-jaws in which they have vertical play. The perforations 24 communicate with channels 27 in the brasses 12, which are directed inwardly to the inner faces of said brasses, and supply a portion of the lubricant to the inner faces of said brasses. The

inner ends of said channels are also con-.

nected by grooves 28 with a system of grooves 29 on the inner face of the brass 5. A portion of the lubricant can be thereby distributed to and over said last-named face.

By having the brass 5 formed with the projection 6, a heavier cross bar 2 may be employed, but in Fig. 3 of the drawings is shown a form of the driving box and hearing, in which the box is provided with a straight cross-bar 31, beneath which is a crown brass 32, fitted with downwardly curved plates 33. The upper part of the brass is provided with a boss similar to the boss 8, and fitted into an opening in the bar 31, but not shown in the drawings. The bearing is also provided with side-brasses 54, similar to the brasses 12, except that the upper ends thereof are curved inwardly so as to have a locking relation with the outer faces of the plates 33, as shown at 35. The parts of the bearing are held in position by means of a boxing 36, supported similarly to the boxing 16. The brasses 3 1 can be withdrawn or replaced similarly to the manner in which the brasses 12 are manipulated. The brasses 34 are susceptible of a slight elevation in position by cutting away the upper faces of said brasses and the upper ends of the extensions 35.

The intake ends of the channels 25 and 27 are provided with a funnel formation, so that in case the cellar 16 should be shifted laterally a little in either direction,the openings 23 would still register with said channels.

Other changes can be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the device, besides those shown herein, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: r

1. In a device of the class described, a driving box frame, provided at its lower end with a pair of spaced-apart cross-sills; a crown brass removably supported in the upper part of said frame; a pair of side brasses interlocking at their upper ends with said crown brass; guiding means in said frame for said side brasses, permitting vertical movement thereof between said frame and a journal contained therein, but preventing lateral release thereof; a boxing supportable on said sills, and engageable with the lower ends of said side brasses, to hold the same in position; and Wedge devices interposed between said boxing and sills, adapted to hold the same tightly in place thereon.

2. In a device of the class described, a driving box frame, provided at its lower end with a pair of spaced-apart cross-sills; a journal bearing for said frame, comprising a crown brass removably supported in the upper part of the frame, removable upon a slight separation of said frame and a journal contained therein; a pair of side brasses i11- terlocking at their upper ends with said crown brass, to form a continuous bearing; guiding means in said frame for said side brasses, permitting a vertical movement thereof, but preventing lateral release of said brasses; a boxing supportable on said sills, and engageable with the lower ends of said side brasses, to hold the same in place; and wedge devices interposed between said boxing and sills, adapted to hold the same rigidly in position thereon, and also preventing the sides of the frame from contracting againstsaid boxing and side brasses.

In a driving box for locomotives, a frame therefor, provided at its lower end 'lng a receptacle for lubricant for said zbo with cellar supporting means; a journal bearing for said frame comprising a crown brass, and'pair of side 'brasses connecting therewith; keys for said side vbrasses-on the inner faces of said frame, permitting said side brasses to be positioned or detached :by vertical moven ent; and acellar removably held in the lower part of said frame, {form- 3 and serving .to hold said side brasses in working positions, saidcellar and side brasses being provided with inter-coininunh eating openings extending from said cellar to the outer faces of said frame, and other openings extending from said cellar .to the bearing facesof said'brasses.

4.1n'a driving box for locomotives, a frame therefor, provided at its lower end with ,cellar supporting means; a journal bearing comprising a crown brass and pair of side brasses connected therewith, all of said brasses being provided on their inner faces with inter-connecting oil channels; guide-keys for said side brasses on the inner faces ot said frame, permitting said brasses to be positioned or detached by vertical movement; and a cellar reinovably held in the lower part of said frame, "forming a .luhricant receptacle for said box, and serving to hold said side brasses in working positions, said cellar being provided with means oi communicationbetween the same and the oil channels in said side brasses, to provide a supply of lubricant for said side brasses and for said crown brass.

In testimony whereoi Iaiii-x any signature.

(JOHN T. CUNNINGHAM. 

